12 Days of Christmas Songs Day 3 (Dec 16, 2024)

 12 Days of Christmas Songs Day 3

“To certain poor shepherds.”

I think it’s beautiful & telling that angels first came to tell the shepherds, of all people, about the birth of Christ, Messiah of the world. They didn’t go tell the popular, the rich, the prestigious of this glorious news- no, they made it a priority to tell the shepherds. These humble, lowly, ordinary, (& probably very dirty?) shepherds then left their flocks in complete faith & “with haste” went to find Him. And when they returned, they spread the news & testified of Him. I love the humble way Christ came into the world & I love that humble, lowly people were given the glad tidings first, had the chance to see Him first, & they took that opportunity immediately. They found Him. I don’t have to be some amazing, important, renowned person to find Him. He is our Good Shepherd, seeks us out, knows us by name, & became our sacrificial Lamb, for “with His blood mankind hath bought.” No matter our class nor status, He pleads with us to follow Him, knowing what He can offer us- everything.❤️

“Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!” One of my favorite carols ever! (And this version playing by Bryson & Tierra Jones is divine!)

The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O’er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought

Art: Del Parson